Participants warm up before the start of the FFA Rodeo on Tuesday at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center in Lubbock. The event is part of the Texas State FFA Convention this week in Lubbock. (Zach Long)

Kids gather for convention

An estimated 10,000 FFA members from across the state gathered in Lubbock this week for a convention at which nearly $2 million in scholarships were handed out and nearly 1,400 members received the state FFA’s highest degree, the Lone Star FFA Degree.

But the group, which also gathered in the Hub City in 2008, also pumped an estimated $4 million into the local economy.

With its 10,000 participants, the FFA convention is the largest such event Visit Lubbock works with and was expected to occupy up to 85 percent of the city’s 5,030 hotel rooms.

Among the convention’s activities were a variety of competitions ranging from public speaking to a rodeo and agriscience events.

The Texas FFA Association was chartered in 1929 with the mission to use agricultural education to create real-world success. Today, more than 90,000 high school students are enrolled in agricultural science and technology classes, and there are more than 74,000 members statewide.

CHS awarded for exceeding patient expectations

Covenant Health Systems’ receipt of Avatar International’s Exceeding Patient Expectations award for 2010 marks a turning point for a health care provider that in recent years has struggled back from financial and operational issues.

The award is based on three critical survey items: gauging patient expectation about quality of care, reliability and customization prior to the visit.

Avatar International, a research and consulting company based in Orlando, Fla., reviewed 500 health care facilities before announcing the award.

Covenant provides health care across the South Plains.

Gifts help South Plains Food Bank feed needy

Donors are helping South Plains Food Bank with its summerlong food drive, Summer of Sharing — including one who donated 50,000 pounds of potatoes.

SPFB asked individuals, churches and businesses to help raise 300,000 pounds of food, about 250,000 meals, and $50,000 by Aug. 8. Individuals can take nonperishable food or monetary donations to any PlainsCapital Bank location. Tote bags are also available in the bank’s lobbies for a $2 donation, with all proceeds going to the food bank.

In addition to feeding the hungry, the food bank is also soliciting T-shirts — not to clothe the needy but to create school-supply bags that are more sturdy than plastic bags.